You've got mail for Christian Aid Week

That is the message for Christian Aid week which starts on Sunday. This week, Sunday 10 May, marks the beginning of Christian Aid Week.

Christian Aid’s appeal this year focuses on the charity’s response to the coronavirus outbreak in the developing world and supporting their Coronavirus Emergency Appeal, with projects working with some of the world's most vulnerable communities in 37 countries in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America and the Caribbean.

With the charity unable to use its iconic red envelopes for door to door collections during the lockdown, they are offering virtual envelopes instead.

Christian Aid is hoping they can still raise the vital funds they need by asking us to simply sending friends and family a personalised message in an 'e-envelope'.

The e-envelope will encourage the recipient to donate and join the fight against poverty and injustice around the world.

Find out more here.

The charity says:

"As this virus spreads across the world, love rises up in response. You’ve already shown incredible kindness to your neighbours. Now is the time to reach out to your neighbours both near and far.

"Your love protects. From storms, from drought, and now from coronavirus. Your love protects our global neighbours battling the spread of this illness. Your love protects. With soap, clean water and medical supplies.

"By supporting us this Christian Aid Week, you can reach out and protect more of your neighbours today."

As a Diocese, we have always been strong supporters of Christian Aid. In previous years, an army of volunteers has posted those red envelopes through 1000s of doors from the M4 to the Jurassic Coast.

And those same volunteers have returned later to collect them, hopefully full of generous donations.

But this year, due to the restrictions the fundraising has had to go online and into people's homes, and our Diocese is still offering support.

This Sunday, our Cathedral will focus on Christian Aid with our own Diocesan Secretary David Pain giving the address. David was with the charity before joining the Diocese, as Director of Supporter and Community Partnerships at Christian Aid.

You can listen to the service via the Cathedral website.

To explore ideas about how to celebrate Christian Aid Week digitally, visit caweek.org/virtualresources.